Dog Bites

Cappetta Law Offices provides around-the-clock service to victims injured by dog bites and other dangerous conditions on property. At Cappetta Law Offices, you will receive a prompt response to your inquiries and experienced legal representation at no up-front cost. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Cappetta Law Offices is dedicated to doing everything possible to maximize your recovery at trial or through settlement.

Dog Bite Injuries

Nearly 5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Over 90 percent of all attacks involve male dogs that are not neutered. Of the 800,000 bites requiring medical attention, approximately 25 percent were caused by restrained dogs. Unrestrained dogs contribute to about the same proportion of fatalities when they are off the owner’s property; they cause substantially more damage on the premises. In fact, loose dogs account for 60 percent of human deaths when they are on the owner’s property. Dogs are territorial and more aggressive on their own turf.

Protect Your Children

Young children suffer the vast majority of bite-related injuries. More than 80 percent of all dog bites involve children under 15. Bite rates increase exponentially between the ages of 5 and 9. Left unsupervised, newborn babies are 370 times more likely than adults to be killed by a dog. In order to prevent dog bite injuries, it is important to educate your children. It is also essential to research breed characteristics before buying a family pet. The record number of shelters and euthanized dogs is a testament to owner negligence. Refusing to spay or neuter a pet also increases the number of unknown litters roaming the streets, increasing the likelihood of bites.

Preventing Dog Bite Injuries

Parents can prevent 88 percent of bite-related injuries by simply supervising their children. Adults must also do their part to properly supervise their pets. America’s billion-dollar pet industry continues to grow, indicating that dogs are here to stay. As such, it is important to know how to prevent dog bites. Whether you own a dog or not, you will eventually have to deal with one. This is why you should be informed of negligent human acts that cause bite-related injuries:

Taunting, mistreatment

Approaching unknown dog

Failure to train, socialize pet

Shouting, aggressive gestures

Sudden movements, eye contact

Lack of exercise, attention to pet

Improperly tethering aggressive dog

Because dogs tend to attack the extremities, many trainers suggest rolling into a ball if attacked to protect your arms, legs, hands, and feet from injury.

Dog Owners and Premises Liability

Dog owners who are unaware of their dog’s aggression are clearly negligent. Whether the ignorance is true or feigned, it does not excuse the owner from liability. Under premises liability law, dogs are considered a “dangerous condition” on property. Owners therefore have a legal duty to protect neighbors and invitees from dangerous pets. Rather than leashing an aggressive canine, which causes the dog to be more aggressive, owners should properly fence the yard. When guests are on the property, the owner must take additional precautions to isolate the pet. Dog owners breach their duty to others by allowing dogs to roam loose or unleashed. They are therefore liable for any injuries that result. Owners must pay for all costs related to the bite.

Consult a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney for Help

If you or someone you love was injured by a dog bite or other dangerous condition on property, Massachusetts premises liability lawyer Daniel J. Cappetta can help. Cappetta Law Offices provides comprehensive personal injury representation to all victims injured by negligence. We protect your rights and aggressively pursue your claim at no cost to you. Avail yourself of free legal consultations and stellar representation with no hidden fees. Cappetta Law Offices only gets paid if you do. We are dedicated to finding all liable parties and helping you recover the compensation you deserve. Call (508) 969-9505 for a free consultation or contact us online.